In many parts of the world, problems of water supply and water management constitute one of the most pressing issues of our day, and both the technology used in managing water supply in the past and the implications of such technology for the rise of social complexity have long played a crucial part in archaeological enquiry, not only since Wittfogel popularized the concept of ‘Hydraulic Civilizations’ as a backdrop to one of the principal conflict theories trying to explain the origin of the state. Whereas in most parts of the Near East and the Mediterranean, ‘water management’ is often taken to be synonymous with ‘water supply’, in many parts of temperate Europe, drainage systems form the most prominent aspect of water management that has left an imprint in the archaeological record.

This year’s ‘Metal Ages’ colloquium, co-organized by the UISPP’s Scientific Commission ‘Metal Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean’ and the Department of Archaeology at Bilkent University, for its thematic session welcomes contributions on all aspects relating to the domestication of water and to the use of hydraulic technology, from the Chalcolithic to the Iron Age, including the societal impact of relevant practices, economic power relationships and governance structures.

Apart from contributions dealing with this year's main theme, we also invite contributions to the general session of the conference from any interested colleagues working on the Metal Ages. Papers or posters in the general session may deal with any aspect of the archaeology of the Metal Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean.